A Mossy Cave and a Waterfall? Yes Please

A Mossy Cave and a Waterfall? Yes Please

When a short hike like Mossy Cave is suggested to you by a ranger that has hiked all over our country, you don’t think twice, you just go. Even when you are as tired as we were, you just go. We spent about 5 hours hiking in Bryce Canyon National park and met a wonderful ranger who walked with us about a mile telling us all about his “job” and his adventures. I use job loosely because he is a volunteer and quite frankly my hero. Every day he gets up, puts on his hiking gear and hikes our beautiful parks, talking with people, answering questions and assisting if needed. My DREAM “job”.

Anyways, after hearing a bunch about Bryce Canyon he asked if we had been to Mossy Cave yet. At this point we had only just briefly passed a sign on the way in to Bryce but hadn’t really given it any thought. That was until that moment when he said it was a short hike back to a waterfall. Well, if you know anything about me by now, you know I wasn’t going to miss an opportunity to see a waterfall. I don’t know what it is about the beauty, sound and serenity of waterfalls, but I’m a sucker.

Once we finally completed our hiking adventure at Bryce Canyon I decided, yes, you read that right, I decided to go. Jason was completely wiped out and didn’t want anything to do with hiking any longer, but being the great guy he is, he obliged my obsessions and agreed to go. Truth be told, I would have gone regardless and left him in the car, but it was much better with him.

When we arrived, it was just a little parking lot and it was full except for one spot, which immediately spoke to me that this hike was meant to be. This short .8 mile hike was more than worth it. There wasn’t any real incline to worry about, or we were just wiped from the last hike that this seemed so easy, or maybe both. We were almost immediately met with water and the choice to go left to the cave or right to the waterfall. Naturally, right to the waterfall was our first choice. Now, don’t get me wrong, this wasn’t an immense waterfall, but it was still a waterfall in an area where it seemed like there was nothing but desert. The waterfall was everything I love, beautiful, calming and tranquil. I was immediately at peace. However, I needed to go further. We decided to go past the waterfall and see what was back a little further. Just your typical creek/river flowing to the waterfall but it was very pretty and quite. I sat down and put my swollen feet in the cold water and relaxed for a few minutes before obliging to the idea of going to the cave and heading home.

Honestly, I was at peace and didn’t need to see the cave but I am an explorer, so since we were there, I needed to see it. I want to give it the credit it is due but it wasn’t anything to write home about. Now, bear in mind that is just my opinion and I have been to National Parks like Olympic, Zion and Glacier. All of these parks you can see mossy caves and weeping walls. Yes, before you start judging, I know you can see waterfalls there too, but for some reason mossy caves all look the same to me, but not waterfalls.

Anyways, don’t miss the small sign for Mossy Cove going from Panguitch to Bryce Canyon. If you do, you will regret it. If you love waterfalls like me, pack a sandwich and sit on a rock alongside the waterfall and enjoy your lunch. This is the perfect place to just sit and breath in what mother nature gave us. You won’t be sorry.

Fun Fact:

The stream is called the ‘Tropic Ditch’ as it was not naturally created. It was artificially created by pioneers for means of an irrigation source for the nearby towns. Over time the geology has changed it’s course creating an actual erosion-canyon verses the frost-wedging canyons of Bryce Canyon.